Gaming method and surface therefor

ABSTRACT

A gaming method using dice is provided in which each player places a wager on an outcome selected from the group comprising: pair only; two pairs or better, 3 of a kind or better; 4 of a kind or better; full house or better; straight or better, and five of a kind the outcome is generated by a dice roll each player that has wagered accurately upon the outcome is paid bets are collected from players that have inaccurate wagers. A gaming table is provided with a plurality of player areas, each associated with a seat for a player demarcated with eight distinct betting areas.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of casino games.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Poker is a well known casino game. Craps is a well know casino game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Forming one aspect of the invention is a method using dice. In themethod: each player places a wager on an outcome selected from the groupcomprising: pair only;

-   -   two pairs or better;    -   3 of a kind or better;    -   4 of a kind or better;    -   full house or better; straight or better, and    -   five of a kind    -   the outcome is generated by a dice roll each player that has        wagered accurately upon the outcome is paid bets are collected        from players that have inaccurate wagers.

According to another aspect, the outcome can be generated by a singleroll of five identical dice.

According to another aspect of the invention: each player has the optionof placing a zilch wager; and

a zilch wager is deemed accurate if the outcome is not one of: paironly; two pairs or better; 3 of a kind or better; 4 of a kind or better;full house or better; straight or better, and five of a kind.

According to another aspect of the invention, if the outcome is not oneof: pair only; two pairs or better, 3 of a kind or better; 4 of a kindor better; full house or better; straight or better; and five of a kind:

-   -   a. each player has the option of placing a five-of-a-single-kind        wager;    -   b. one or more dice rolls are effected;    -   c. after each roll, each die presenting the kind is removed from        play;    -   d. if, within a predetermined number of rolls, all dice of the        kind are removed from play, each player that has placed a        five-of-a-single-kind wager is paid.

According to another aspect of the invention, if the outcome is not oneof: pair only; two pairs or better; 3 of a kind or better; 4 of a kindor better; full house or better; straight or better; and five of a kind:

-   -   a. each player has the option of none of the kind wager,    -   b. if, within the predetermined number of rolls, none of the        kind have been removed from play, each player that has placed        the none-of-a-kind wager is paid.

According to another aspect of the invention, the dice each bear thenumbers 1-6.

According to another aspect of the invention, the kind is the number 6.

A gaming table forms another aspect of the invention and comprises aplurality of player areas, each: associated with a seat for a player;and being demarcated with eight distinct betting areas.

According to another aspect of the invention, seven of the eightdistinct betting areas can bear the following demarcations:

-   -   1. pair only    -   2. two pairs or better    -   3. 3 of a kind or better    -   4. 4 of a kind or better    -   5. full house or better,    -   6. straight or better; and    -   7. five of a kind.

According to another aspect of the invention, the eight distinct bettingareas can bear the following demarcations:

-   -   1. pair only    -   2. two pairs or better    -   3. 3 of a kind or better    -   4. 4 of a kind or better    -   5. full house or better,    -   6. straight or better;    -   7. five of a kind; and    -   8. zilch.

Advantages and characteristics of the present invention will becomeapparent upon review of the following detailed description and appendeddrawing, the latter being briefly described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a layout of a gaming surface

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In an exemplary embodiment of the method each player places a wager onan outcome selected from the group comprising: pair only; two pairs orbetter; 3 of a kind or better; 4 of a kind or better; full house orbetter; straight or better; and five of a kind each player has theoption of placing a zilch wager the outcome is generated by a singleroll of five identical dice bearing numerals 1-6 a zilch wager is deemedaccurate if the outcome is not one of: pair only; two pairs or better, 3of a kind or better, 4 of a kind or better, full house or better;straight or better; and five of a kind. Each player that has wageredaccurately upon the outcome is paid bets are collected from players thathave inaccurate wagers.

If the outcome is not one of: pair only; two pairs or better; 3 of akind or better; 4 of a kind or better; full house or better; straight orbetter; and five of a kind:

-   -   a. each player has the option of placing a five-sixes wager and        a no-sixes wager;    -   b. one or more dice rolls are effected;    -   c. after each roll, each die presenting the number 6 is removed        from play;    -   d. if, within five rolls, all of the dice have been removed from        play, each player that has placed a five-sixes wager is paid.    -   e. if, within five rolls, none of the dice have been removed        from play, each player that has placed the no-sixes wager is        paid.

Rules of the Game, including exemplary payout tables, are set forth inthe pages following.

Overview Casino Table Game—on a Roll Dice Poker: Rules of the Game

On A Roll Dice Poker is a poker game played with five dice that have itssix sides bearing circular spots from one to six. Patrons competeagainst a pay table, not against the Dealer or other players.

Table Layout

An On A Roll Dice Poker table is imprinted with an area for theplacement of all approved wagers.

Other Gaming Equipment

Each On A Roll Dice Poker table is equipped with the following:

a) “On” button;b) “Off’ button;c) Bonus lammers (5); andd) Dice shaker.

DEFINITIONS

Dice Poker—Is a mandatory one roll wager. A player must make at leastone wager out of the seven combinations which include a Pair Only, TwoPair or Better, Three of a Kind or Better, Full House or Better,Straight or Better, Four of a Kind or Better or Five of a Kind. Thewager wins if the combination is rolled and it loses if it is notrolled.

Zilch—This is an optional one roll side wager that can be placed anytimethe “Off’ button is in use. The player must place a Dice Poker wager inorder to place an Zilch wager. Players are wagering that the Shooterwill roll Zilch or No Pair. If achieved, players have a guaranteedpayout and qualify for the 5 Sixes Bonus Round

The 5 Sixes Bonus Round is a completely separate bonus round where eachplayer has the opportunity at an additional payout if the Shooter canroll 5 Sixes in up to 5 rolls. After each roll the Dealer removes eachsix that has been rolled. The Shooter continues rolling the remainingdice until 5 Sixes is achieved or for 5 rolls, whichever comes first.

The Shooter is the player with control of the dice. This player maycontinue to shake the dice provided they wagered on the winning DicePoker combination or until Zilch is rolled and the 5 Sixes Bonus Roundis completed. The Dealer will shake the dice if no player wants to,until someone elects to become the Shooter.

Poker Rankings

On A Roll Dice Poker hands are determined by the number of spotsappearing on the uppermost sides of the dice. Only one face on each dieis considered uppermost. Rankings include all 5 dice and are, in orderof highest to lowest rank:

-   i) Five of a Kind—A roll which has the same number of spots showing    on all five dice;-   ii) Four of a Kind—A roll which has the same number of spots showing    on four dice. The outcome of the 5th die when it does not improve    the hand is inconsequential;-   iii) Straight—A roll which has one die showing six spots, one die    with five spots, one die with four spots, one die with three spots    and one die with two spots OR one die with five spots, one die with    four spots, one die with three spots, one die with two spots and one    die with one spot. Both Straights are of equal value;-   iv) Full House—A roll which has the same number of spots showing on    three dice and the same but different number of spots showing on two    dice;-   v) Three of a Kind—A roll which has the same number of spots showing    on three dice. The outcome of the 4th & 5th dice when they do not    improve the hand are inconsequential;-   vi) Two Pairs—A roll which has the same number of spots showing on    two dice and the same but different number of spots on two dice. The    outcome of the 5th die when it does not improve the hand is    inconsequential;-   vii) Pair Only—A roll which has the same number of spots showing on    two dice. The outcome of the 3rd, 4th & 5th dice when they do not    improve the hand are inconsequential;-   viii) Zilch—A roll which does not contain any of the above    combinations. Specifically the rolls include the following:    -   a. one die showing six spots, one die with five spots, one die        with four spots, one die with three spots and one die with one        spot;    -   b. one die with six spots, one die with five spots, one die with        four spots, one die with two spots and one die with one spot;    -   c. one die with six spots, one die with five spots, one die with        three spots, one die with two spots and one die with one spot;    -   d. one die with six spots, one die with four spots, one die with        three spots, one die with two spots and one die with one spot.

Wagers

All wagers are made by placing gaming chips, plaques, or coupons on theappropriate wagering areas on the table layout. Verbal wagersaccompanied by cash may be accepted provided they are confirmed by theDealer and/or Floor Supervisor. The cash is converted into gaming chipsor plaques prior to the round of play.

Wagers cannot be made, increased, decreased or withdrawn after the diceare rolled.

Prior to the Dealer closing wagering and the dice rolled, players mustmake a Dice Poker wager.

Each player may also place an additional wager on the Zilch wager.

Only seated players who place a wager may become a Shooter when it istheir turn to roll the dice. A player cannot play more than one hand.

When a Dice Poker wager is placed, a player is wagering on the resultsof all 5 dice after each roll and each winning combination is paidseparately.

A player who places a Dice Poker wager on Two Pair or Better, Three of aKind or Better, Full House or Better, Straight or Better or Four of aKind or Better is paid at the odds where their wager is placed if thatcombination or Better is rolled.

Payout Odds

Dice Poker wagers are settled as follows:

At the discretion of the Casino Operator, winning Dice Poker wagers arepaid according to one of the following tables:

Pay Pay Pay Pay Dice Poker Ranking Table 1 Table 2 Table 3 Table 4 Fiveof a Kind 1200 to 1 1200 to 1 1000 to 1 1000 to 1 Four of a Kind or 45to 1 40 to 1 45 to 1 40 to 1 Better Straight or Better 17 to 1 15 to 117 to 1 15 to 1 Full House or Better 10 to 1 10 to 1 9 to 1 10 to 1Three of a Kind 3 to 1 3 to 1 3 to 1 3 to 1 or Better Two Pair or Better1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1 One Pair 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1

At the discretion of the Casino Operator, winning Zilch wagers and the 5Sixes Bonus Round is paid according to one of the following tables:

Pay Pay Pay Pay Table A Table B Table C Table D Zilch Guaranteed Payout12 to 1 10 to 1 7 to 1 5 to 1 & Entry to 5 Sixes Bonus Round 5 SixesBonus Round 1 Roll 500 to 1 1000 to 1 1000 to 1 1000 to 1 2 Rolls 100 to1 500 to 1 500 to 1 500 to 1 3 Rolls 50 to 1 100 to 1 200 to 1 300 to 14 Rolls 30 to 1 50 to 1 100 to 1 100 to 1 5 Rolls 20 to 1 25 to 1 40 to1 70 to 1

The Casino Operator may establish a Maximum Payout amount and/or anAggregated Payout amount for On A Roll Dice Poker. The amount isdisplayed at each table.

The Zilch and 5 Sixes Bonus Round payouts may be included in the MaximumPayout amount or the Aggregated Payout amount.

Dealing the Game

During regular play, the dice are placed in the dice shaker by theDealer and are shaken in an up and down motion prior to being passed outto the player.

Starting with the player furthest to the left, the dice and shaker arepassed out to the player to shake the dice at least three times in an upand down motion to ensure a random outcome. If no one wants to be theShooter, the Dealer shakes the dice. The Dealer removes the lid andannounces the outcome.

If there is no Zilch wagers, or Zilch is not rolled, the Dealer placesan “Off’ button on the winning combination. Losing Dice Poker wagers aretaken and winning combinations are paid.

If there is an active Zilch wager and the Shooter rolls Zilch the Dealerplaces an “On” button in the Zilch circle. Losing Dice Poker wagers aretaken, all Zilch wagers are paid and enter the 5 Sixes Bonus Round.

When a Shooter qualifies for the 5 Sixes Bonus Round, the Dealer placesall 5 dice in the shaker, shakes the dice once in an up and down motionand then passes it to the Shooter to shake.

The lid is uncovered and the Dealer removes each six that was rolled andreturns the remaining dice and shaker to the Shooter to keep rollinguntil 5 Sixes is achieved or for 5 rolls, whichever comes first.

When a Shooter enters the 5 Sixes Bonus Round, the Dealer places a“Bonus 1” lammer in the 1st Roll area of the layout. When the nextcombination is rolled the Dealer places the “Bonus 2” lammer on the 2ndRoll area, the “Bonus 3” lammer on the 3rd Roll area and so on until 5Sixes has been rolled or for 5 rolls, whichever comes first.

Completion of a Round of Play

Whenever a Pair Only is rolled, all other Dice Poker and Zilch wagerslose.

Whenever the Shooter rolls a Dice Poker combination where they have nowager, the dice pass clockwise around the table to the next Shooter,unless Zilch is rolled.

Whenever Zilch is rolled, the 5 Sixes Bonus Round is completed and thedice pass clockwise around the table to the next Shooter.

A Shooter does not have to have a Zilch wager to roll the dice duringthe 5 Sixes Bonus Round.

A player may elect to forfeit their opportunity to be the Shooter andshake the dice at any time. When this happens, the dice are offered tothe next player moving clockwise around the table and the round iscompleted. If no one elects to shake the dice, the Dealer shakes thedice.

Wagers are paid and/or taken in order pursuant with the established PayTable.

Irregularities

All irregularities are resolved at the discretion of the CasinoOperator. The Casino Operator will not violate the above rules toresolve the irregularity.

Casino Table Game—on a Roll Dice Poker No Six Addendum: Rules of theGame

No Six Addendum is Played According to the Rules of the Game for on aRoll Dice Poker with the Following Exception:

Overview

No Six is an optional side wager that can be placed once Zilch has beenobtained and prior to the 5 Sixes Bonus Round commencing.

DEFINITIONS

Zilch—an optional one roll side wager that can be placed anytime the“Off’ button is in use. The player must place a Dice Poker wager inorder to place a Zilch wager. Players wager the Shooter will roll Zilch.If achieved, players receive a guaranteed payout and qualify for the 5Sixes Bonus Round.

Sixes Bonus Round—a separate bonus round where each player has theopportunity at an additional payout if the Shooter can roll 5 sixes inup to 5 rolls. After each roll, the Dealer removes each six that hasbeen rolled. The Shooter continues rolling the remaining dice until 5Sixes is achieved or for 5 rolls, whichever comes first.

No Six—an optional side wager that can only be placed once Zilch hasbeen obtained and prior to the 5 Sixes Bonus Round commencing. Playerswager the Shooter will not roll a Six during the 5 Sixes Bonus Round.

Wagers

A player must first make a Dice Poker wager and an additional Zilchwager. Once Zilch has been obtained a player may bet that the Shooterwill not roll a six during the 5 Sixes Bonus Roll. The wager is placedin the designated betting area by the Dealer after the Zilch payout ismade.

The No Six wager wins if the Shooter does not roll a six during the 5Sixes Bonus Round. After each roll of the 5 Sixes Bonus Round, where asix is not rolled, the player has the option of collecting their winningwager or letting it ride for a chance at increased payouts. If a six isrolled at any time the No Six wagers loses.

Payout Odds

No Six wagers are settled as follows:

Winning No Six wagers are paid according to the following table:

No Six Pay Table 1 Roll 1 1 to 1 Roll 2 5 to 1 Roll 3 12 to 1 Roll 4 35to 1 Roll 5 90 to 1

The game can conceivably be played anywhere, on any surface and usingdice bearing any indicia. However, for the purpose of simplification ofbet tracking, a gaming table can be provided. The surface 20 of anexemplary gaming table is shown in FIG. 1. The surface 20 will be seento define a plurality of player areas 22, each associated with a seatfor a player and demarcated with eight distinct betting areas 24-38. Thebetting areas 24-38 are demarcated with the various outcomes previouslydescribed, namely:

-   -   1. pair only    -   2. two pairs or better    -   3. 3 of a kind or better    -   4. 4 of a kind or better    -   5. full house or better;    -   6. straight or better;    -   7. five of a kind; and    -   8. zilch.

Players place wagers upon the outcomes in a conventional manner, thatis, by placing chips upon the associated betting area.

The gaming table shown also include a variety of reporting areas 40,wherein dealers will place chips to evidence the status of the game asit progresses. This is primarily to ensure accountability within thecasino [so that surveillance cameras can monitor the table for cheatingand theft] and does not impact upon play and accordingly further detailthereon is not provided.

Whereas specific embodiments are shown, it will be evident thatvariations are possible.

For example, whereas a five-sixes round is contemplated, the game couldbe played equally successfully with five-of-any-kind.

As well, whereas five dice are used, with poker hands being defined bynotional cards bearing the numbers of the die presented upwardly in theroll, greater or lesser numbers of dice could be used. If four dice wereused, for example, the outcomes would be: pair only; two pairs orbetter; 3 of a kind or better; Four-card-straight or better; and 4 of akind.

Further, whereas numeric dice are mentioned, dice bearing letters,symbols or playing card symbols, such as Ace, King, Queen, Jack, Ten andNine could be used.

Accordingly, the invention should be understood to be limited only bythe accompanying claims, purposively construed.

1. A method using dice, wherein: each player places a wager on anoutcome selected from the group comprising: pair only two pairs orbetter 3 of a kind or better 4 of a kind or better full house or betterstraight or better; and five of a kind; the outcome is generated by adice roll each player that has wagered accurately upon the outcome ispaid. bets are collected from players that have inaccurate wagers. 2.The method according to claim 1, wherein the outcome is generated by asingle roll of five identical dice.
 3. The method according to claim 1,wherein: each player has the option of placing a zilch wager, and azilch wager is deemed accurate is the outcome is not one of: pair only,two pairs or better, 3 of a kind or better, 4 of a kind or better, fullhouse or better, straight or better, or five of a kind.
 4. The methodaccording to claim 3, wherein if the outcome is not one of: pair only,two pairs or better, 3 of a kind or better, 4 of a kind or better, fullhouse or better, straight or better, or five of a kind; each player hasthe option of placing a five-of-a-single-kind wager; one or more dicerolls are effected; after each roll, each die presenting the kind isremoved from play; if, within a predetermined number of rolls, all diceof the kind are removed from play, each player that has placed afive-of-a-single-kind wager is paid.
 5. The method according to claim 4,wherein, if the outcome is not one of: pair only, two pairs or better, 3of a kind or better, 4 of a kind or better, full house or better,straight or better, or five of a kind; each player has the option ofnone of the kind wager, if, within the predetermined number of rolls,none of the kind have been removed from play, each player that hasplaced the none-of-a-kind wager is paid.
 6. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the dice each bear the numbers 1-6.
 7. The methodaccording to claim 4, wherein the kind is the number
 6. 8. The methodaccording to claim 5, wherein the kind is the number
 6. 9. A gamingtable comprising: a plurality of player areas, each associated with aseat for a player demarcated with eight distinct betting areas.
 10. Thegaming table according to claim 9, wherein seven of the eight distinctbetting areas bear the following demarcations: pair only, two pairs orbetter, 3 of a kind or better, 4 of a kind or better, full house orbetter, straight or better, or five of a kind.
 11. The gaming tableaccording to claim 9, wherein seven of the eight distinct betting areasbear the following demarcations: pair only two pairs or better 3 of akind or better 4 of a kind or better full house or better, straight orbetter; five of a kind; and zilch.